Drinking cup with game piece

ABSTRACT

A disposable cup for use in a promotional campaign has a sidewall having a longitudinal seam extending from an open end to an opposing closed end. The sidewall also has an inner surface and an outer surface. An indicia corresponds to a promotional event. The cup has a tab that at least partially conceals the indicia. The tab is associated with the longitudinal seam.

RELATED APPLICATION

This Application claims the benefit of Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/715,055 filed Sep. 8, 2005 which is hereby incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to a drinking cup having an informational feature, and more specifically to a disposable cup having an indicia concealing tab integral with a portion of the disposable cup.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Disposable cups often include indicia related to the contents of the cup. Many times, the indicia is located on the lid of the cup and includes an indicator feature which may or may not be activated to highlight the type of material within the disposable cup.

Disposable cups have also been used in conjunction with promotional events, such as games. The games often require removal of a paper tag to reveal the results of a promotional event. The tag is typically a separate member fixed to the sidewall of the cup.

While the disposable cups according to the prior art provide a number of advantageous features, they nevertheless have certain limitations. The present invention is provided to solve problems in the prior art, overcome certain of these limitations and to provide advantages and aspects not provided by prior promotional cups of this type. A full discussion of the features and advantages of the present invention is deferred to the following detailed description, which proceeds with reference to the accompanying drawings.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a cup associated with a game piece such as for a promotional event. The cup, preferably disposable, has a body having a sidewall having an extension tab. The tab is associated with indicia in the form of a game or promotional event.

In one embodiment, the present invention provides a disposable cup for use in a promotional campaign. The disposable cup has a sidewall having a longitudinal seam extending from an open end to an opposing closed end. The sidewall further has an inner surface and an outer surface. The cup further has an indicia corresponding to a promotional event. A tab at least partially conceals the indicia.

In another embodiment, present invention provides a disposable cup produced from a paper or plastic product. The disposable cup has a sidewall formed from a blank of the paper or plastic product. The sidewall has a seam extending from a distal end of the sidewall upwardly to a proximal end of the sidewall. The seam is at least partially formed by an overlapping edge of the blank sealed to an outer surface of the sidewall. The cup further has a bottom portion. A first indicia corresponding to a promotional event is associated with the cup. A first tab is fixed to the disposable cup concealing at least a portion of the first indicia.

In another embodiment, the present invention provides a disposable cup. The disposable cup has a bottom blank having a center panel and a skirt extending outwardly therefrom. The center panel has an upper surface and an opposing lower surface. The cup further has a sidewall blank having opposing first and second edges, opposing proximal and distal ends and opposing inner and outer surfaces. The sidewall blank is transversely disposed to the center panel and wrapped about the skirt such that the second edge overlaps the first edge. The distal end of the sidewall blank has a bent lip wherein the skirt is received between the bent lip and a portion of the sidewall blank, the proximal end having a rolled rim defining an opening to a containment space. A seam is formed between the overlapping first edge and the second edge. A bottom seal is formed between the bent lip and the skirt wherein the inner surface of the sidewall blank and the upper surface of the bottom blank substantially define the containment space. The cup further has indicia corresponding to a promotional event. A tab is located adjacent the longitudinal seam concealing the indicia.

In another embodiment, the present invention provides a promotional game utilizing a disposable cup produced from a paper or plastic product. The disposable cup has a sidewall, an open end, and a closed end. The sidewall has a seam extending from the closed end upwardly to the open end. The promotional game has a first indicia corresponding to a promotional event. A first tab integral with a portion of the seam of the disposable cup conceals at least a portion of the first indicia.

In another embodiment, the present invention provides a promotional game. The promotional game has a disposable cup produced from a paper or plastic product. The disposable cup has a sidewall, an open end and a closed end, and the sidewall has a seam extending from the closed end to the open end. A first indicia corresponds to a game event. A second indicia corresponds to a game event. A first tab is integral with a portion of the sidewall and conceals at least a portion of the first indicia. A second tab is integral with a portion of the sidewall and conceals at least a portion of the second indicia.

In another embodiment, the present invention provides a disposable cup. The disposable cup has a sidewall having an open end, a closed end, an inner surface, and an outer surface. A seam extends from the closed end to the open end. A first tab extends outwardly from the seam, and the first tab has a tamper evident or indicator feature. A second tab extends outwardly from the seam, and the second tab has a tamper evident or indicator feature. A first indicia corresponds to the first tab, and a second indicia corresponds to the second tab.

Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following specification taken in conjunction with the following drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

To understand the present invention, it will now be described by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a disposable cup of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the disposable cup of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the disposable cup of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a side view of the disposable cup of the present invention showing displacement of a tab;

FIG. 5 is a side view of a disposable cup of the present invention showing a tab of a multilayer construction;

FIG. 6 is a side view of the disposable cup of FIG. 5 showing a displaced multilayer tab, revealing indicia corresponding to a promotional event;

FIG. 7 is a side view of a cup of the present invention showing a displaced multilayer tab, revealing indicia corresponding to a promotional event;

FIG. 8 is a side view of a cup of the present invention showing a displaced multilayer tab, revealing indicia corresponding to a promotional event; and

FIG. 9 is a side view of a cup of the present invention showing a displaced multilayer tab, revealing a separate promotional piece between the layers of the multilayer tab.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

While this invention is susceptible of embodiments in many different forms, there is shown in the drawings and will herein be described in detail preferred embodiments of the invention with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the broad aspect of the invention to the embodiments illustrated.

The present invention is directed to a disposable cup and promotional game, event or campaign. The disposable cup is preferably produced from a paper or plastic product, and is of the type typically filled with refreshments, e.g. soft drinks, coffee, ice cream, etc., by fast food restaurants, snack bars, soda fountains, and the like. Alternatively, the disposable cup may take a conical cup shape similar to cups routinely filled with a flavored ice refreshment.

Referring to the FIGS. 1-9, a disposable cup 10, such as one described in co-pending and commonly assigned application Ser. No. 10/979,790, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein, includes a sidewall 14 having an open end 16, an opposing closed end 18, and opposing inner and outer surfaces 20, 22. The cup 10 is formed from a sidewall blank 28 wrapped around a bottom blank 30 that is disposed generally transverse thereto.

The sidewall blank 28 is cut or punched from a continuous roll of paper, as is the bottom blank 30. The sidewall blank 28 has a leading edge, adjacent a distal portion of the blank 28, a trailing edge, which is rolled to form the overturned rim 46 defining the open end 16 of the cup 10 (at a proximal portion of the cup 10), a first longitudinal edge 50 and an opposing second longitudinal edge 54. The distal end of the sidewall blank 28 includes a bent lip. The bent lip extends upwardly to form a circumferential receiver. The bottom blank 30 generally has a flat central panel wall 56 surrounded by a downwardly extending skirt.

When formed, the paper cup 10 has an overlapping longitudinal sidewall seam or seal 60 at a joint between the first and second opposing longitudinal edges 50, 54, a bottom seal 62 at the joint between the skirt of the bottom blank 30 and the bent lip at the distal end of the sidewall 14, and the curled overturned rim 46 at the proximal or open end 16 of the sidewall 14 leading into a containment space 66, or cavity 66, of the cup 10.

The longitudinal sidewall seam 60 is formed by overlapping one of the first or second longitudinal edges 50, 54 over the other edge. The bottom seal 62 is formed by bending the distal-most portion of the sidewall blank 28 to form the bent lip and circumferential receiver. The bent lip is folded over the skirt portion of the bottom blank 30 such that the skirt is squeezed between the distal portion of the sidewall blank 28 and the bent lip of the sidewall blank 28. As such, the bottom seal 62 is formed of three plies of paper. A recessed area is created adjacent the side of the bottom blank 30 opposing the containment space 66 of the cup 10.

The typical cup 10 is made from paperboard blanks having a thermoplastic coating, such as a polyethylene, on at least one side of the blank. The thermoplastic material permits heating and sealing of adjacent components. It is understood that alternative types of coatings, including environmental friendly coatings, may be utilized with the present invention. For example, the sidewall blank 28 may be a 185 lb. board and have a 0.75 mil. thermoplastic coating on one surface (i.e., the surface which becomes the inside surface 20 of the formed cup 10). A thermoplastic coating may also be applied to the other surface of the blank in different embodiments. The bottom blank, however, may be made of a 126 lb. board and have a thermoplastic coating on one or both of it surfaces. One surface of the bottom blank 30 may have a 0.75 mil. thermoplastic coating and the other surface of the bottom blank 30 may have a 0.75 mil. thermoplastic coating. While this disclosure provides an example of a paper cup formed with paper having a thermoplastic coating, it is readily understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that a cup forming machine associated with the present invention can manufacture different types of cups as well, including plain paper, waxed paper, etc., and those cups utilizing adhesive seals instead of poly seals. Further, if a thermoplastic coating is utilized, it may be applied to one or both surfaces, and it may be applied in differing thicknesses. The paper types and thicknesses may vary also.

The cup 10 may be used in a promotional campaign. Accordingly, the cup 10 includes an indicia 74 corresponding to a promotional event. (See, e.g., FIGS. 4 and 6). A tab or a plurality of tabs 76 at least partially conceals the indicia 74. Separate indicia 74 may be at least partially concealed under separate tabs 76, or a single indicia 74 may be located under one tab 76 while no indicia is concealed under other tabs 76. The indicia 74 and tab 76 may collectively be considered a game piece that is associated with the cup 10, and more particularly to the sidewall 14 of the cup 10. In a most preferred embodiment, the tab 76 extends from the sidewall 14 generally at the longitudinal sidewall seam 60.

The promotional event may be a continuing game where users are required to collect a number of promotional pieces, clues, or the like; the promotional event may be of the type where the user immediately discovers the result of the game; or the promotional event may be a combination of the two. In any case, at least one step of the promotional event requires displacement of at least one tab 76 to reveal at least a single indicia 74.

Each tab 76 is fixed to the sidewall blank 28, or a continuation thereof, adjacent the seam 60 and projecting outwardly therefrom. The tabs 76 may be integral (i.e. formed as a single unit) with one of the longitudinal edges 50, 54, preferably integral with the exposed longitudinal edge 54 located along the outer surface 22 of the sidewall 14, rather than the first longitudinal edge 50 located along the inner surface 20 of the sidewall 14 within the containment space 66. (See FIGS. 3-8) Alternatively, the tabs 76 can be a part of a separate member or several members of identical paper or plastic stock or one of different thickness than the cup stock. The separate member or members may be fixed by sandwiching and/or sealing within the longitudinal seam 60. (See FIGS. 1 and 2) A weakened line or area 78, such as a row or rows of creases or perforations, may be included to direct or guide a flexing, folding or tearing of the tabs 76 to facilitate selective displacement, removal or detachment of one or more tabs 76 from the cup 10.

Each tab 76 has a first surface 82 facing the outer surface 22 of the sidewall 14 and a second surface 86 opposite the first surface 82. The first surface 82 of the tab 76 may be tacked or temporarily adhered to the outer surface 22 of the sidewall 14 by heat and pressure, epoxy, or any other suitable adhesive or means of temporary attachment 88. (See, e.g., FIG. 6) Indicia 74 may be located on the first surface 82 of one or more tabs 76 or on the outer surface 22 of the sidewall 14 that generally lies at least partially beneath one or more tabs 76.

The tabs 76 preferably include a tamper evident or indicator feature. Tampering of one or more tabs 76 may be evidenced by physical alteration and/or required removal of one or more tabs 76 to reveal the indicia 76, especially along the perforations. The tabs 76 are attached in such a way as to require physical alteration of one or more tabs 76 to reveal the indicia 74. Alternatively, a tamper evident feature or indicator feature may be a coating that could be placed on a surface of the cup 10 which evidences tampering with one or more tabs 76, for example by fiber tears, to reveal the indicia 74. This coating includes thermoplastic coatings and the like.

According to FIGS. 7-9, the tabs 76 may also be constructed from a plurality of layers. Here, the first surface 82 is preferably located on a first layer 90 and the second surface 86 is located on a second layer 94. As shown in FIG. 8, the layers 90, 94 are preferably selectively separable. That is, the layers 90, 94 are temporarily attached so that interior surfaces 98 face each other. Here, the indicia 74 is preferably located between the layers 90, 94, on one or both of the interior surfaces 98. The indicia 74 may also be located on a separate promotional piece 100, such as a piece of a puzzle, an illustration, a photograph, or the like, located between the layers 90, 94, and removable from between the layers 90, 94. (See, e.g., FIG. 9). Again, weakened lines or areas 78, such as a row or rows of creases perforations, may be included to direct or guide a separation of the first and second layers 90, 94, and/or to facilitate selective removal or detachment of one or more of the layers from the cup 10.

It should also be noted that while the cup 10 of the present invention has been described in conjunction with a promotional event, the indicia 74 described herein may be information related to the size of the cup 10 or the contents of the containment space 66, such as the volume of the material within the containment space 10 and/or the type of material within the containment space. The indicia 74 in either case may be located on exposed surfaces of the tabs 76 wherein the tamper evident or indicator feature may be used to indicate which of the plurality of tabs 76 contains and/or conceals the information desired to be communicated to a user. For example, each tab 76 may carry or conceal information related to the flavor of the material within the containment space 66. The tamper evident or indicator feature would be a means of communicating which tab 76 carries the desired information to be conveyed to the user, e.g. the flavor of the material within the cup 10.

The terms “first” and “second” used herein are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the embodiments in any way. The term “plurality” as used herein is intended to indicate any number greater than one, either disjunctively or conjunctively as necessary, up to an infinite number. The terms “fixed to,” “joined” and “connected” as used herein are intended to put or bring two elements together so as to create a unit, and any number of elements, devices, fasteners, etc. may be provided between the joined or connected elements unless otherwise specified by the use of a modifying term such as “integral” or “directly” and/or supported by the drawings.

While the specific embodiments have been illustrated and described, numerous modifications come to mind without significantly departing from the spirit of the invention, and the scope of protection is only limited by the scope of the accompanying Claims. 

1. A disposable cup for use in a promotional campaign, the disposable cup comprising: a sidewall having a longitudinal seam, an inner surface, and an outer surface, the longitudinal seam extending from an open end to an opposing closed end; an indicia corresponding to a promotional event; and a tab associated with the sidewall, the tab at least partially concealing the indicia.
 2. The disposable cup of claim 1 wherein the sidewall is formed from a paper blank having a first edge and a second edge, the second edge overlapping the first edge and sealed with a portion of the sidewall to form the longitudinal seam.
 3. The disposable cup of claim 2 wherein the tab is integral with the second edge.
 4. The disposable cup of claim 3 wherein the indicia is located on a first surface of the tab, the first surface of the tab facing inwardly towards the outer surface of the sidewall.
 5. The disposable cup of claim 4 wherein the first surface of the tab is temporarily adhered to the sidewall.
 6. The disposable cup of claim 5 wherein the tab is separable from the disposable cup along a perforated edge.
 7. The disposable cup of claim 2 wherein a portion of the tab is located within the longitudinal seam.
 8. The disposable cup of claim 7 wherein the portion of the tab located within the longitudinal seam is sealed between the second edge of the paper blank and the portion of the sidewall.
 9. The disposable cup of claim 1 wherein the tab has a plurality of selectively separable layers.
 10. The disposable cup of claim 9 wherein the plurality of selectively separable layers comprises a first layer and a second layer overlaying the first layer, the indicia located between the first and second layers.
 11. The disposable cup of claim 10 wherein the indicia is located on the first layer.
 12. The disposable cup of claim 11 wherein the indicia is located on the second layer.
 13. The disposable cup of claim 1 wherein the sidewall comprises: a bottom blank having a center panel and a skirt extending outwardly therefrom, the center panel having an upper surface and an opposing lower surface; a sidewall blank having opposing first and second edges, opposing proximal and distal ends and opposing inner and outer surfaces, the sidewall blank transversely disposed to the center panel and wrapped about the skirt such that the second edge overlaps the first edge, the distal end of the sidewall blank having a bent lip wherein the skirt is received between the bent lip and a portion of the sidewall blank, the proximal end having a rolled rim defining an opening to the containment space; a seam formed between the overlapping first edge and second edge; and a bottom seal formed between the bent lip and the skirt wherein the inner surface of the sidewall blank and the upper surface of the bottom blank substantially define a containment space.
 14. The disposable cup of claim 13 wherein the indicia is located on the sidewall blank, the tab overlaying at least a portion of the indicia.
 15. The disposable cup of claim 13 wherein the indicia corresponding to a promotional event is located on a first surface of the tab facing inwardly towards the sidewall blank.
 16. The disposable cup of claim 15 wherein tab is attached to the cup in such a way as to require physical deformation of at least a portion of the tab in order to reveal the indicia concealed by the tab.
 17. The disposable cup of claim 13 wherein the tab is integral with the sidewall blank.
 18. The disposable cup of claim 17 wherein the tab projects outwardly from the second longitudinal edge of the sidewall blank.
 19. The disposable cup of claim 13 wherein a portion of the tab is located within the longitudinal seam.
 20. A promotional game utilizing a disposable cup produced from a paper product, the disposable cup having a sidewall, an open end, and a closed end, the sidewall having a seam extending from the closed end upwardly to the open end, the promotional game comprising: a first indicia corresponding to a promotional event; and a first tab associated with a portion of the sidewallof the disposable cup, the first tab concealing at least a portion of the first indicia.
 21. The promotional game of claim 20 wherein the first tab is integral with the sidewall.
 22. The promotional game of claim 20 wherein the first tab includes a tamper evident feature.
 23. The promotional game of claim 20 wherein at least a portion of the tab must be displaced to reveal the at least a portion of the first indicia.
 24. The promotional game of claim 20 wherein the first tab is adhered to a portion of the sidewall.
 25. The promotional game of claim 20 wherein the first tab includes a first layer and a second layer overlaying the first layer and selectively separable therefrom, the first indicia at least partially concealed between the first and second layers.
 26. The promotional game of claim 20 wherein the indicia is located on an exterior surface of the sidewall of the disposable cup.
 27. The promotional game of claim 20 wherein the first indicia is located on a first surface of the tab, the first surface facing an exterior surface of the sidewall.
 28. The promotional game of claim 20 further comprising a second tab.
 29. The promotional game of claim 28 further comprising a second indicia at least partially concealed by the second tab.
 30. A disposable cup comprising: a sidewall having an open end, a closed end, an inner surface, an outer surface, and a seam extending from the closed end to the open end; a first tab extending outwardly from the seam, the first tab having a tamper evident feature; a second tab extending outwardly from the seam, the second tab having a tamper evident feature; a first indicia corresponding to the first tab; and a second indicia corresponding to the second tab.
 31. A cup comprising: a body having a sidewall having an extension tab, the tab being associated with indicia in the form of a game.
 32. A cup comprising: a body having a sidewall having a first end connected to a second end along a longitudinal seam; a plurality of tabs extending proximate the seam; and indicia positioned on one of the underside surface of each tab and a portion of the exterior surface of the sidewall that generally lies beneath the plurality of tabs, wherein the indicia is in the form of a promotional event. 